Visiting Palisades-Dows Observatory
The Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center is located at Palisades-Dows Nature Preserve on the southeast edge of Palisades-Kepler State Park. The EIOLC, located at 1365 Ivanhoe Road, is approximately 15 miles southeast of Cedar Rapids and approximately 20 miles north of Iowa City.
The map below shows the location of the observatory in relation to surrounding communities:
From the Cedar Rapids metro area and points north of the Coralville Lake, Ivanhoe Road can be reached from Highway 27 (Interstate 380) and Highway 30. From points near Mt Vernon and south of the Coralville Lake, such as Iowa City, Ivanhoe Road can be reached from Highway 1.
The map to the right shows Ivanhoe Road in detail as it connects with Highway 30 east of Cedar Rapids and Highway 1 south of Mt. Vernon.
Directions to the observatory are indicated by brown State Park signs at the entrances to Ivanhoe Road and near the observatory's driveway at 1365 Ivanhoe Road.
Watch out for deer! The area around the observatory is heavily wooded and populated with wildlife.
